THANKFUL FOR GREEN

November is the month to reflect on being thankful. One thing that comes to mind is being thankful for the green mindset that people in our community are adopting more and more every day to improve energy consesrvation. Educating Tidewater, Virginia residents is so important to improve our local environment. There are many ways to become a part of the solution instead of part of the problem. Everyday life can be enhanced so embrace simple changes starting in your own home to conserve energy and reduce waste. Households can be altered using better products, such as installing more efficient appliances. There are so many options to increase your household efficiency, so if all cannot be achieved at once, start planning and budgeting for smart future projects:

1. Programmable thermostats: controlling the comfort in your home with the ability to program your temperature schedule can save you up to $150 in energy costs annually according to the Environment Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.

2. System Maintenance: Schedule you annual heating and cooling system maintenance. This will maximize your comfort system efficiency, saving energy costs and reducing failures. Energy Star research found that will save about $330 annually in heating and cooling costs.

3. Tankless water heater: Installing a tankless water heater saves up to 50% on water heating costs, it is also a spacer saver, delivers endless hot water, reportedly has fewer failures and service rates and has a life expectancy of up to 20 years.

4. High efficient heating and cooling systems: Installing high efficient equipment uses less energy, saving you monthly energy costs. In efforts to reduce energy usage, The Department of Energy is requiring a minimum 14 SEER rating in Virginia effective 1/1/15 for new equipment installations.

5. Go Geothermal: This is the most efficient comfort equipment on the market, using the earth to heat and cool your home and saves up to 70% on energy usage compared to a conventional system. This technology delivers strong returns to your wallet and to the environment.

6. Vacancy sensors: Install vacancy sensor switches to automatically turn off lights as you leave the room to save on your electricity expenses.

7. Insulation: A well-insulated house prevents air leakage, which uses less energy and protects your heating and cooling equipment from being over worked.

Go Green practices on a smaller project scale should be considered:

1. Unplug appliances and electronics not in use

2. Turn the temperature down on your water heater

3. Fix leaky faucets

4. Replace incandescent bulbs with CFL’s

5. Wash clothes in cold water

6. Close your blinds to the summer sun to keep house cooler, open them to the winter sun to warm up

7. Seal around outlets, windows and doors to reduce air leakage

When researching household appliances to make an environmental difference, look for Energy Star rated products. Be thankful for earth friendly practices and products available that enter into our lifestyles to bring environmental responsibility accompanied with savings. It is time to reduce your carbon footprint. Get started, go green and save green.

For free quotes for comfort equipment installation for the southside, Tell ‘em Kellam!